Above and beyond titanium frames or aluminum frames, carbon fiber frames (or carbon frames) with carbon fiber forks have become a very popular material for most road bicycles these days–even entry-level road bikes It is lighter in weight than most other materials and is stronger with the right stiffness than many thanks to its strength-to-weight ratio being high. In fact, carbon fiber offers some of the lightest road bikes around. Even your local bike shop will now stock these amazing frames and at a decent price point.
Carbon fiber is designed with several composite material fibers connected together through an epoxy adhesive. It uses polyacrylonitrile and rayon compounds that have been connected by carbon atoms. These bike frames are lighter in weight and yet will not buckle under pressure while in use.
Considering how carbon fiber is strong and yet light in weight, it only makes sense that more companies that make road bikes are using this material. But what makes a good road bike and which bikes on the 2017 market are the best?
Here’s a look at five of the best bikes that you can check out for the 2017 season. These come with some intense and beautiful designs and functions that are intriguing and add quite a bit of support.
In terms of how it looks the CLX Ultegra is somewhat similar to the V1r, a Colnago bike that was co-designed by Ferrari. But the Ultegra is still easier for all to handle without wearing out quickly. The Ultegra uses an 82.5 bottom bracket, thus establishing a better ride with more control. It can also work with mechanical and electronic shift options alike.
This is only around 18 pounds in weight as well. The slim design pairs well with 25-inch tires to create a smooth ride all around. The rims are also wide enough to give you a good support for keeping your balance without struggling or feeling too hard in its use.
Look made this bike with a disc-brake system. This creates a stronger grip on the rear wheel as you stop. The disc-brake setup can also be adjusted with added lubrication to help keep it strong and functional. You’ll have to keep it maintained well enough over time to see that it won’t be too hard to use, though.
While the carbon fiber body itself is great, an added layer of flax linen is included in the fork and chain stays. This keeps the vibrations within the bike from being too intense. While this works best on flat surfaces, this could also be brought onto some rougher roads depending on your plans for biking. It’s a nice function that adds a better sense of support for your ride.
A 410 mm chain stay provides you with a better handling system. It manages more controls carefully and doesn’t add too much pressure as you use it.
Basso is unique in the carbon fiber world for making components for not only bikes but also for Formula 1 and World Rally Championship vehicles. This is fewer than 20 pounds in weight before paint is added onto it. Even after adding a nice paint job of your choice onto the frame, it still creates a beautiful look that isn’t too heavy or hard to use.
The Comfort Kit can be used on the SV to add two centimeters length onto the head tube. This makes the bars move up a bit higher. It does not require any spacers underneath the stem either. Of course, you can also remove the Comfort Kit if needed if you prefer a lower series of bars.
The bar height can also be adjusted with a series of small spaces that are 5 mm apart from each other. This creates a more precise fit for you. The direct-mounted brakes and support for mechanical and electronic drivetrains also make this a popular choice. Don’t forget to check out the elastomer that takes in vibrations and keeps shaking from occurring far too much.
Masi made this bike with a rather intriguing finish that includes several colors all over its vibrant body. But there’s a whole lot more to this attractive bike than just an intriguing look to its body. It also uses a nice carbon fiber design with a single piece and a fork that is perfectly sized without being rough or otherwise challenging to use in some way.
The tapered fork is extremely responsive and works quickly without too much effort. The bottom bracket shell offers a wide space for allowing the chain to move effortlessly. The wider range on the chain also makes it easier for you to lubricate its gears as needed. This keeps the bike moving on the road.
The direct mount brakes are easy to support as well. The internal routing also lets you use a mechanical or electronic drivetrain depending on what you might prefer using. This adds an extra bit of control that isn’t too tough and gives you a better sense of control so you will have a more appealing experience with it.
This last option is another choice from Basso. This is made with absolutely no metal reinforcements. It uses a full carbon fiber body while using a standard shape design. The spacers are slim while a tapered steerer fork keeps the bike easy to control.
The BB86 bottom bracket shell is a key part of what makes this useful. It offers an added amount of control that simplifies how well the bike works without adding too much drag. It also uses mid-size rims that support tube-base tires but aren’t too thick to where they add lots of drag. The pedals for the brakes are also carefully organized around the main handles to give you added control. Like the other Basso model you read about earlier, this also works with mechanical or electronic drivetrains depending on what you prefer to operate with.
Check around when looking for a carbon fiber road bike. The five options you just read about here are good choices to have in 2017, thanks to how they are well-designed and capable of giving you the best rides possible. These offer many great features and can be adjusted in a variety of ways based on the models you want to use.